View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Where does Bill keep his supply of heroin?

2. Which of Bill's customers buys drugs for others?

3. Where does Bill find himself stranded?

4. How did Bill pay for his habit?

5. Which character moves in with Bill?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do Bill and Roy get enough money to continue their habits?

2. How do things change when Hermann is arrested?

3. What kind of relationship do Bill and Pat develop in the sixth section?

4. How was Bill able to travel around Europe?

5. Describe Bill's early life.

6. Describe the disturbance Doolie creates in the fifth section.

7. Describe the fight that occurs in the opening ten pages.

8. How do Lee and Roy become increasingly friendly in the opening ten pages?

9. In what way could the novel be said to be junk driven?

10. Why is Herman arrested?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The novel is set in New York, New Orleans, Texas and Mexico.

1) What meaning does each setting bring to the novel? What would you automatically presume about a novel that was set in these locations?

2) How different do you think the cities are today to the cities and states in the novel? How do you think the novel's meaning would change if it were set in contemporary society?

3) How do you think settings of the novel contribute the drug theme?

Essay Topic 2

Junky is said to be based on Burroughs' own experiences. Examine Burroughs' life and compare it the events that take place in Junky.

1) Why is the book not looked upon as strictly non-fiction?

2) What events in the novel do you think are purely fiction? Why does Burroughs fictionalize these parts in particular?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss Burroughs' life. In what way do you think his life and personality is reflected in the book?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 688 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample